What would the fraction 15/100 be expressed in decimal form?

• A. 1.5
• B. 0.15
• C. 0.5
• D. 1.0

Answer: (B)

To understand why 15/100 equals 0.15 in decimal form, it's essential to grasp the process of converting a fraction into a decimal.

When you divide the numerator (15) by the denominator (100), you are essentially determining how many times 100 can fit into 15, followed by identifying the decimal representation of that quotient.

Performing the division, 15 divided by 100 results in 0.15. This is because 100 is greater than 15, resulting in a decimal value less than one. The expression can also be thought of in terms of percentages; since 15 percent of a whole is represented by 15 out of 100 parts, this reinforces the understanding that the fraction represents a part of a whole, again yielding 0.15.

This conversion is a fundamental skill in mathematics, particularly in contexts like pipefitting, where precise measurements and the ability to convert between representations can be critical in tasks like calculating fluid capacity, pressure, and other key metrics.